The Ba-ila are a tribe of Northern Rhodesia.
Long ago the Ba-ila did not know Leza as regards his affairs-no, all that they knew about him,
was that he created us, and also his unweariedness in doing things. As at present when the rainy
season is annoying and he does not fall, when then they ask of Leza different things: they say
now: 'Leza annoys by not falling': then later when he falls heavily they say: 'Leza falls too
much.' If there is cold they say 'Leza makes it too cold,' and if is not they say 'Leza is much too
hot, let it be overclouded.' All the same, Leza as he is the Compassionate, that is to say, as he is
Merciful, he does not get angry, he doesn't give up falling, he doesn't give up doing them all
good- no, whether they curse, whether they mock him, whether they grumble at him, he does
good at all times, that is how they trust him always. But as for seeing his affairs, no, the Ba-ila
do not know, all they say is: 'Leza is the good-natured one; he is one from whom you beg
different things. We Ba-ila have no more that we know.'
